Yes, This Post Is Meant To Disturb

Okay, I need to passionately vent about a topic that is very serious. And I'm going to be using a lot of CAPS to stress my point.

You see, it's not cell phones that bother me, it's HOW people use them.

If people can’t put their damn cell phones away while driving a car, then they have a problem, because nothing is THAT important it can't wait until they're NOT driving.

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve almost been HIT by a car or cab driver who was texting because they were NOT paying attention to what they were supposed to be doing – DRIVING.

New York City has the right idea because if you’re ever spotted by a police officer using your cell phone while driving a vehicle (even if you’re stopped at a red light), they will PULL YOUR ASS OVER and ticket you. And they STRICTLY enforce it because I know of two people who were ticketed in NYC.

And do you know what I have to say about that? BRAVO, New York! And BRAVO to any state or country who has this law and enforces it.

Texting while driving a vehicle is like driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs because it clouds your judgment and makes you TOTALLY irresponsible.

I think people have forgotten that driving a car is a SERIOUS responsibility. And a responsibility not only to yourself and fellow-passengers, but also to the pedestrians who are walking on the streets and other car drivers.

And while I’m on this subject, what’s with the comatext people who walk down the city streets with their eyes looking down at their cell phone, who SLAM into me because they’re not paying attention to what’s going on around them, and then look at ME like I’m the one who should say, “Excuse me.”

I also can’t tell you how many times I’ve seen pedestrians walking down the street while texting, who almost got hit by a moving vehicle because they were getting ready to cross over a green light. There have been times when I've actually had to quickly grab someone by the shoulders and pull them back onto the curb because they were INCHES away from getting hit by a bus.

Cell phone usage has gotten unconsciously and carelessly WAY out of hand, people.

And quite frankly, I’m OVER it.

Yes, it would be a tragedy to harm or kill yourself in a car accident, due to texting while driving. However, it would be even more of a tragedy if I harmed or killed someone else, due to my irresponsibility, because I could not live the rest of my life in any kind of peace knowing I did that.

I leave you now with a commercial about driving while texting. And I make no apologies if it disturbs anyone because that’s EXACTLY what this commercial is supposed to do – DISTURB and WAKE UP.

Because the thing is, so many people think this would/could never happen to them.

If you're texting, you're not driving.

And if you're texting, you're not walking either.

Have a grrrreat weekend everyone!

X

And thank you for hearing me out because I had to get this topic off my chest, THAT'S how strongly I feel about it.

46 comments

I agree with you ONE HUNDRED AND TEN percent Ron! If there is one thing that irritates me, it is texting while driving....they should lock those people in jail overnight! There needs to be a SERIOUS consequence! The fines are not high enough! They need to do something about this now before any more people get hurt or killed. It IS disturbing!! It is also disturbing to me that people have to TALK on their phones while driving!! Hands free or not...they are NOT paying close enough attention to their driving! Thanks for posting a very serious subject!

I agree with every word you wrote, Ron. EVERY WORD! The UK has an unenforceable ban on phone usage while driving. I say unenforceable because quite honestly it's difficult for law enforcers to catch the culprits. I get really mad when I see truck drivers and others using phones, wrongly thinking they're above the law.

And it's not only drivers. You should see the doctors and nurses in UK hospitals on their phones every five minutes, texting and talking. I mean how on earth can they be doing their jobs efficiently if their minds are elsewhere. I saw one nurse laughing on her phone while transporting an injured man from ambulance to the accident unit... I was so mad!

I try to be responsible with my mobile phone... it is always switched on in case Joe needs me urgently, but it stays in my bag or pocket. If it rings I park the car before answering or checking who it was who rang. If it's urgent people will leave a message.... can't people UNDERSTAND that?

Brilliant post, my friend, more people should complain about this subject.

I have three patients who were seriously injured while texting and driving. Their texting caused not just fender benders, but car-flipping, bone-breaking, life-altering accidents. And another who was driving behind her son and called him to say hello. When he dropped his phone and reached for it, he swerved into a truck, killing himself and his passenger as she watched. It's horrifying what distracted driving can do.

"Texting while driving a vehicle is like driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs because it clouds your judgment and makes you TOTALLY irresponsible.".

Ron, thanks so much for writing this post! Texting while driving (or walking) has become an absolute epidemic in this country! And thanks for posting that commercial, too. We have to get the message out there!

I live in New York and while I applaud the law, I still see schmucks texting while they're behind the wheel. What is so goddamn important that you can't wait until you get to your destination to read it--or at least pull over someplace safe?

And you're spot on about the comatext--love that word!-- losers who stomp around the street like blind elephants expecting everyone else to get out of their way. God forgive me, but I'd like to see one of these idiots walk into an open manhole!

Great job, buddy! Have a great weekend, a nice holiday, and watch out for the comatextoids!

Ron, I love this post because I agree with you and think it NEEDED to be said. As you know I have a cell phone but do not use it while I'm driving my car, ever. If I need to call someone because I'm either lost or am going to be late, I pull my car over and call or text them. And not only do people walk down the streets texting, but I've seen people walking in malls doing it too and yes, have slammed into me as well.

Thank you so much for sharing this serious topic. Great post! Have a wonderful weekend, Ron x

"The UK has an unenforceable ban on phone usage while driving. I say unenforceable because quite honestly it's difficult for law enforcers to catch the culprits."

We have a law here in PA that bans cell phone usage while driving a car, but I've NEVER seen it enforced in this city. It's just like the law of "no riding a bicycle on sidewalks in the city" that we have here. I've NEVER seen it enforced because people still ride their bikes on the sidewalks; running into pedestrians and it makes me livid!

"I saw one nurse laughing on her phone while transporting an injured man from ambulance to the accident unit... I was so mad!"

OMG...you're KIDDING me, a NURSE in a hospital!?!? Yeah, I would have been mad too!

"I park the car before answering or checking who it was who rang. If it's urgent people will leave a message.... can't people UNDERSTAND that?"

Good for you, Valerie! I applaud you. And when I had a cell phone, I did the same thing.

Thanks so much for stopping by and sharing on this post, dear lady. Thank you!

Ron, I always enjoy when you write these passionately expressed posts because you're feelings come through with so much power. And the only thing I can add to this already brilliant post is that I no longer use my cell phone when driving because I almost had an accident about two years ago, when I was texting my girlfriend, and almost slammed my car into a stopped car at a red light. It's scared the shit out of me.

"If people can’t put their damn cell phones away while driving a car, then they have a problem, because nothing is THAT important it can't wait until they're NOT driving."

Illinois has a law (new as of Jan. 1) banning cell phone use while driving. If you don't have a Bluetooth or hands-free phone, they WILL pull you over and ticket you

I can't see as ANYBODY needs to be tied to their cell phone 24/7, yet that's exactly what some are allowing. And I say "allowing" because, as you know, it's a CHOICE. Nobody is being held at gunpoint and forced to chain themselves to a phone! Business and personal conversations can wait until you're FREE to talk without the responsibility of operating an IMMENSE piece of steel and metal!

That and people who put their make up on while driving and even reading, Yes, I saw this once. We were on a trip, driving rather casually and there was a lady driving who kept speeding up and passing and then slowing down and we'd pass. She'd be mutlitasking while she drove, like talking on the phone and holding a book to her steering wheel. Even had a laptop out one time. Then putting on her makeup. You'd think she was an octopus with how much she was doing at one time! I multitask at home but not while driving.

Thank you :) This has been on my mind for the past two weeks, so I felt the need to passionately vent - HA!

"Illinois has a law (new as of Jan. 1) banning cell phone use while driving. If you don't have a Bluetooth or hands-free phone, they WILL pull you over and ticket you>'

GREAT to hear that! We have a similar law here in PA, but honestly, I have never seen it enforced in the city of Philadelphia.

"I can't see as ANYBODY needs to be tied to their cell phone 24/7, yet that's exactly what some are allowing. And I say "allowing" because, as you know, it's a CHOICE. Nobody is being held at gunpoint and forced to chain themselves to a phone! Business and personal conversations can wait until you're FREE to talk without the responsibility of operating an IMMENSE piece of steel and metal!"

OMG...THANK YOU and fabulously said, because you said things that I should have said in this post, but didn't.

MUCH thanks for stopping by, my friend, and adding to this post. I hope you're enjoy your blogging break. Have a super weekend and Happy Easter to you!

" She'd be mutlitasking while she drove, like talking on the phone and holding a book to her steering wheel. Even had a laptop out one time. Then putting on her makeup. You'd think she was an octopus with how much she was doing at one time!

OMG...SUZI...you're kidding me!?!?! UNbelievable!!!

When I still had a car and was driving, I did see people putting on their makeup while driving, but never while reading a book and using a laptop. Occasionally, I will see someone walking down the streets READING A BOOK while walking, which totally floors me because I don't know HOW they do that!?!

" I multitask at home but not while driving."

Amen!

Thanks so much for stopping by, my friend. Have a great weekend and Easter!

Thank you. This is a topic I have wanted to share for the past couple of weeks, but decided to share it this week after finding that commercial online.

"I almost had an accident about two years ago, when I was texting my girlfriend, and almost slammed my car into a stopped car at a red light. It's scared the shit out of me."

Yikes! And I'm sooooooooo glad to hear that their wasn't an accident. Whew...yes, it would have scared the shit out of me as well. I remember one time when I was still driving, when I almost hit a car in front of me because they slammed on their breaks to make a sudden right turn and I almost slammed into them. SCARY. When I still drove, I was one of those very defensive drivers, always anticipating someone making a sudden stop, so I would try to leave a lot of space between my car and the car in front of me, just in case.

Amen, Ron! I often will count how many people I see LOOKING DOWN while they pass me on the other side of the road, or while I'm at a red light. And I'm not kidding when I say it is usually 7 out of 10 people! Then there are the people at red lights who are texting and not paying attention when it turns green, or they miss the green arrow. I just lay on the horn, it makes me so damn angry.

We have cities here that have banned all cell phone use (can't even talk and drive, unless it's Bluetooth). Doesn't seem to do a bit of good.

I've had problems driving through parking lots where people are texting and walking between cars. I came within a foot of hitting some dumbbell the other day who wasn't paying any attention. And you know, it would have been my fault, hitting a pedestrian!

And that's exactly how I feel about it too! I am sick of people holding a conversation with you, while texting someone else. I am sick of seeing people with their eyes fixed on mobile phones all the time. I am sick of.......... The rudeness of texting is unbelievable, but texting (or talking) on a mobile while driving is UNFORGIVABLE!

Bravo! I agree wholeheartedly. The law is the same in Washington and Oregon. Cell phones + driving = hefty fine. There have been a few unfortunate deaths out here as a result of people texting while driving, too. It's just a stupid thing to do.

And yet, I'm not going to be one of those guys who derides the practice without admitting to doing it himself. I'd be lying if I said I had never once texted while driving. Fortunately, that was long ago, before it became such a hot button issue. Can you imagine the guilt you'd feel if your negligence led to somebody's death?? NO text is worth that. Not even a suggestive pic from your girlfriend.

Wow...I'm not that keen on television. I'd not seen the commercial. It made me hold my breath. I can't imagine ever being able to live with myself.

Ya know, the towns around us have (and enforce) driving and talking on the cell, bluetooth or not. And texting in the state is banned if you're behind the wheel. I'm just not that fond of talking on phones no matter the kind. My cellphone never rings cuz it's silenced unless there's a medical emergency...even then it's on vibrate. And it'll go unanswered until I can safely exit the road. Drives the rest of the people involved nutz, but I don't really care. I know what I can and can't live with.And yup, I'm the evil mom who demands phones go off at the table. And it makes the girl crabby, but I stop walking if the gets a call or text while we're out. And I do that for the reasons you spoke to.I have a responsibility to those in my life. I won't endorse dangerous behaviors.So far it's paid off. The girl has limits on when she'll talk on the phone and when she won't. She's got a 5 year old to mind and teach. She best be teaching responsible behavior....elsewise we'll be having words. :-/

And bravo to you Ron for sharing this post because it's a topic that I'm OVER too! If people can't stop using a cell phone, either talking or texting while driving a vehicle, then they have a phone addiction problem as far as I'm concerned. I once had a guy in a mall parking lot back out from a parking space WHILE texting and almost hit my car. I rolled down my window and yelled at him using a few choice words while flicking him the bird. I was furious!

You're right, driving a car is a serious responsibility that doesn't evolve multitasking. We have a law in my state that forbids driving while using a cell phone but I don't think it's enforced strongly enough.

Thank you for sharing this post topic, Ron. And I say AMEN to every word you said! And I hope a lot of people read this.

" I often will count how many people I see LOOKING DOWN while they pass me on the other side of the road, or while I'm at a red light. And I'm not kidding when I say it is usually 7 out of 10 people!"

Yes, it's the same with living in a city and noticing how many people are texting while walking down the streets. I swear to god, there are days when I am the ONLY person on the streets who is NOT using a cell phone, either talking or texting.

"We have cities here that have banned all cell phone use (can't even talk and drive, unless it's Bluetooth). Doesn't seem to do a bit of good."

It's the same in Philly. We have that law here, but I have NEVER seen it enforced. And it's quite obvious because of the many times I'VE almost been hit by a car driver who was texting.

" I came within a foot of hitting some dumbbell the other day who wasn't paying any attention. And you know, it would have been my fault, hitting a pedestrian!"

Yes, you're right, it would have been your fault, even though THEY were the one who was not paying attention while texting.

Thanks so much for stopping by and sharing on this post, my friend. Have a super weekend and Easter!

" I am sick of.......... The rudeness of texting is unbelievable, but texting (or talking) on a mobile while driving is UNFORGIVABLE!"

And I love what you also said about people holding a conversation with you while texting someone else, because that same thing has happened to me so many times I can't even tell you. In fact, I was having lunch with someone I work with a few months ago, and the whole time we had lunch they were texting someone else. I finally just said, "Put that damn phone away and talk to me!"

"Wow...I'm not that keen on television. I'd not seen the commercial. It made me hold my breath. I can't imagine ever being able to live with myself."

Yup, it made me hold my breath as well. Like you, I don't watch TV, so I had never seen this commercial before until I spotted it on You Tube and knew I wanted to include it within this post.

"Ya know, the towns around us have (and enforce) driving and talking on the cell, bluetooth or not. And texting in the state is banned if you're behind the wheel."

GREAT to hear that! And it's also great to hear that it's ENFORCED because here in Philly it's the law, however, I've never seen it enforced. And that's quite obvious from the many times I've almost been hit by a car or cab driver, who was TEXTING.

"And yup, I'm the evil mom who demands phones go off at the table. And it makes the girl crabby, but I stop walking if the girl gets a call or text while we're out."

I APPLAUD you for doing that!!!!

". She best be teaching responsible behavior....elsewise we'll be having words. :-/"

HA! AMEN!!!!!

Much thanks for stopping by and sharing on this post, dear lady. Have super-duper weekend and Happy Easter!

"If people can't stop using a cell phone, either talking or texting while driving a vehicle, then they have a phone addiction problem as far as I'm concerned."

I agree because it HAS become an addiction. And it's bad enough that people do it while walking down the street, however, it's worst when people do it while DRIVING.

" I rolled down my window and yelled at him using a few choice words while flicking him the bird. I was furious!"

I would have been furious as well because it would have scared the shit out of me.

" We have a law in my state that forbids driving while using a cell phone but I don't think it's enforced strongly enough."

It's the same here in Philly. We HAVE the law, but I've never seen it enforced or even read about it being enforced by anything in the news. We also have a law here that forbids riding a bike on the sidewalk, but have never seen THAT law enforced as well.

Much thanks for stopping by, buddy. Have a faaaaabulous weekend and Easter!

I agree! Yes, these commercials are difficult to watch but we are so immune to anything bad in our society anymore that we need something that's completely in our face to get the message across.My cityand those in the immediate area have laws against texting but one city took it a step further and implemented one saying if you even talk on your phone while driving, it's a $1000 fine PLUS 30 days in jail PLUS 2 points on your license. Bravo, I say!Have a great weekend!

So true Ron and a good reminder for anyone who is still doing things like this. I still see people on phones while they drive. When you add in driving around the mountains here, it's an even more dangerous mix.

They have a shuttle service from the airport (about 30 minutes away) here, and on a couple of trips that I took on it, the driver was on his HAND HELD cell phone, most of the trip. It scared the bejesus out of me, while the rest of the passengers seemed blissfully ok with what he was doing. I didn't want to say much while in the van, I was so upset and didn't want to get into an argument with the driver and distract him further. But I sure gave the company a head full after the fact. Whether they have REALLY done something about this or not, I don't know. But I shudder to think where that driver's behavior could have led to.

That's great about NY! Well done to the police force for being on top of this in a diligent way.

" I still see people on phones while they drive. When you add in driving around the mountains here, it's an even more dangerous mix."

OMG...I can't even imagine doing that while driving around the mountains - YIKES!

" But I sure gave the company a head full after the fact. Whether they have REALLY done something about this or not, I don't know. But I shudder to think where that driver's behavior could have led to."

BRAVA...good for you for contacting the company and letting them know because I would have done the same thing. And you're right, I shudder to think what his behavior could have led to.

Much thanks for stopping by, my friend. Have a super weekend and Happy Easter to you!

i can feel how strongly you feel about this topic, and rightly so. it's dangerous and there is nothing that one can text that can't wait until someone is not driving to send. now i have been known to do things at red lights, but i do try not to text and drive. nothing is so important that i would risk taking my life or someone else's life, just to send a stupid text. my phone is hooked up via blue tooth to my car, so i can have siri type my messages for me or make a phone call, but even that can be distracting. it's best just to drive and that's it.

We have strong laws here against Distracted Driving in Alberta too! I watch people walking along with their devices, not paying attention to anyone else or traffic. I can't understand why people think they are so important they have to share themselves with others 24 hours per day!

As I type this I'm cooling down from a quick six mile run after work, and I can fully appreciate this post. I just nearly got run over by some crazy lady who was on a cell phone and ran a stop sign. I had to swerve to avoid getting hit, and as I did I smacked the back of her car. Man, did that feel good. :-)

Since when are stop signs optional, especially in areas congested with pedestrians? Some people are off their rocker...

"I just nearly got run over by some crazy lady who was on a cell phone and ran a stop sign. I had to swerve to avoid getting hit, and as I did I smacked the back of her car. Man, did that feel good. :-)"

Good for you, man! I would have probably not only smacked the back of her car, but also shot her a BIRD - HA!

See...this is what I mean about people using their cell phones while driving. DANGEROUS.

"Since when are stop signs optional, especially in areas congested with pedestrians? Some people are off their rocker..."

Ron, I have TWO boys... each under 21, driving. I never use the phone in the car when they are in it. Heck, I really don't use the phone driving at ALL! I put it in my purse and DRIVE.... sounds crazy, huh? But my kids NEVER have seen me driving and talking on the phone. So texting? OH HELL NO! My boys know if I ever ever EVER catch them with a phone in their hands while driving they will be parked. PERIOD. No drinking... no smoking anything and no cell phones while driving. EVER EVER EVER. I am so with you on this. I can always tell when people are using a phone driving... they swerve.. they go through red lights.... they are SO DANGEROUS!!!

"Heck, I really don't use the phone driving at ALL! I put it in my purse and DRIVE.... sounds crazy, huh?"

That's AWESOME, Katherine. And BRAVA to you!

" My boys know if I ever ever EVER catch them with a phone in their hands while driving they will be parked. PERIOD. No drinking... no smoking anything and no cell phones while driving. EVER EVER EVER"

*cheers*

You're a faaaaabulous mother for doing that because you're teaching them responsibility. And not only for their own life, but for others as well.